Javier Fox
Kearney, NE

​Artist Statement: 

I began my experience with art at a young age; first with nature growing up in Colombia. I was surrounded by a vast amount of color, sounds and beauty, that helped me appreciate and discover the wonders of the world. Throughout my educational experiences, starting at the University of Nebraska at Kearney, I began to explore the different materials and techniques to shape my art. I tried different techniques and disciplines, but nothing intrigued me as much as clay did, the reason has to do with its vast amounts of potential to create anything in my imagination. I can apply all other disciplines such us drawing, painting, sculpture and printmaking into this amazing material, but fire was the thing that really called to me because it was so unique to add that element in such way that I could not control the outcome of every piece.

At the University of Nebraska Lincoln, I explored the surface of clay and what I can do to it, I studied glaze formulation to learn the chemistry of glazes and how to use materials to create new and exciting surfaces, adding uniqueness to the art pieces.

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At the University of Colorado Boulder, I studied the components of abstract and interaction of different materials with clay, for example, metal and glass, this gave me a new way of looking and thinking about the process of working with material. At the University of Western Carolina, where I received my MFA, I pushed the limits of the material by altering the firing components by adding elements like salt, soda, organic and no-organic materials; this created a very unique firing atmosphere, and the result was very unique artworks.

My current work explores a bit of everything by creating unique pieces of art with natural themes and alternative firing techniques, this helps me keep creating new and distinctive artwork.

I pushed the limits of the material by altering the firing components by adding elements like salt, soda, organic and no-organic materials; this created a very unique firing atmosphere, and the result was very unique artworks.

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